Metal-shearing machine



vc. E. ENNES act qgmcuomw.

' METAL SHE/(RING MACHINE. j

' APPLICATION mid MAY-LIME. 1,194,728. n J PatentedAug. 15,1916.

' C E. ENNES & C. D. McDONALD.

METALSHEARING MACHINE. 'APPLICATION FILED MAY 4, ms.

Patented Aii 15 c. 1;; ENNES & c. n. MCDONALD METAL snmms MACHINE. APPLIC AT|0N FILED MAY 4. 1916.

' Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

s SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I iii/061M57 Giarie C. E. ENNES & C. D. McDONALD.

METAL SHEARING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 4. I916.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916;

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

c'. E. ENNE S & c; n; MCDONALD. METALYSHE'A RING MACHINE. I v APPLICATION FIL'ED MAY 4. 1916. 1,194,728;

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

TE a

71/65 m Jar Patented Aug, 15, 19 16.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. EIVNES AND CHARLES D. McDONALID, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO THE MCDONALD MAQI-IINE 00., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

To aZZwhom it may concern: y

Be it known that. we, CHARLES-E. ENNES and CHARLES D. MCDONALD, both citiz 11s of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metal-Shearing Machines, of which the following is a specification. v

The present invention relates to a machine for cutting up a blank of metal into a number of strips ofaccurate size and'shape for feeding into an automatic die-press,

thereby enabling the continuous-operation of a plurality ofpresses from a single source of blank supply; and the basic principle of the machine is described in Letters Patent No. 1,110,810 granted to C. D. McDonald September 15, 191 1, for metal shearing machine, and Letters Patent No. 1,174,747 granted March-7, 1916, to C. D. McDonald, for metal" shearing machine.

One object of the invention is to provide means for giving the work an initial movement inthe direction of the shearing mechanism and then imparting a secondary movement in the same direction for centering the work with respect to the shearing mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to produce a out along the side of the work and to shift the work in accordance with this cutto center the work with respect to the shearing mechanism for subsequent side-trimming operations.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for allowing'the side-trim to drop away from the body of the work at each side-trimming operation.

A further object of the invention is to arrange the various mechanisms whereby bothmovements of the work for centering purposes,the placing of the out which allows the side-trim to drop away from the main body of the work, and the severance of the waste ends from certain of the blanksare regulated and operated by the movements of the crosshead of the shearing mechanism, thereby insuring a perfect "timing of these mechanisms with respect to the shearing operation.

A further object of the lnvention is to METAL-'SHEARING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters IPatent. Patented Aug 15, 1916, Application filed May 4, 1916. Serial No. 95,485.

provide a plurality of blank receptacles all arranged to the rear end of the machine, thereby enabling the removing of blanks to the die-presses ina ready and quick manner.

A further object of the invention is to trim the irregular or imperfect end from certain of'the blanks and to provide discharging means for forcing said imperfect end out from the shearing mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide members formed with an edge or point upon which thework lying to each side of the shearing mechanism rests, thereby insuring a ready discharge of the work resting on these members away from the shearing mechanism after the shearing operation. And the invention further consists in the. features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed. i

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying the mechanism of the present invention; Fig. 2, a vertical section showing the work advanced to the limit of the first feeding movement for the purpose of receiving an edge-trimming cut; Fig. 3, a view similar to Fig. :2, showing the work advanced into the position assumed by the second movement of the feed bar;

Fig. 4, a View similar to Fig. 3, showing the work advanced by the centering means to position it against the fixed stop; Fig. 5, a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 6, a detail \plan section of the shearing mechanism,

ing mechanism; and Fig. 9, a sectionon, line 99 of Fig. 8, looklng in the direction of the arrow.

Asstated, the present invention relates to a machine which is adapted to receive sheets of work inthe form of sheet metal and sever the same into a series of elongated scroll-edge blanks, which'are subsequently used in automatic die-presses for forming can tops and similar articles. By the use of a. machine of the characterherein described, these blanks can be produced very rapidly and ingreat numbers, thereby enabling 'a continuousoperation of a plurality. of diepresses from this single source of blank supply, which is highly desirable, inasmuch as the continuous operation of the die- Q presses means. an increased output therefrom and a-consequent reduction inthe cost ofthe'article turned out by the presses.

Referring now, to the drawings, the niecha nism' is mounted upon a standard or base 10, which supports. a table 11 and a body or holder 12 for the female portion of? the shearing mechanism. Also carried by the standard is a frame 13, in which is slidably mounted a cross-head 11 that carries the male die of the shearing mechanism. Afiixed to the upper surface of the table, and which for convenience of description will be termed the delivery end of the machine, is a diagonally-disposed guide rail 15' and a spring-pressed roller 16. It will be noted that the roller is lying approximately op-'- posite from the inner end of the guide 15. This insures the work being turned into a straight line when entering the machine. This arrangement of guides androller is fully shown and described in Patent No.

1,174,747 referred to above, and a detailed ing with a gear 25 on the main drive shaft;-

. on the main drive shaft 20. The work and a chain 26 forms the connection between the sprockets 2'2 and 21.

\Vhenthe work has been delivered by the operation of the chains 17, it is in position to have its rear end engaged by the rearmost finger 27 of a reciprocating feed bar 28." This feed bar is actuated by a link 29 connected to a pivoted arm 80 driven by a link 31, which travels in a slot 32 in a disk when engaged by this finger '27 is advanced to. the position shown in Fig. 2, and after it has reached this position, the cross-head. 14: descends and trims off the front edge of the blank. This is for the purpose ,of making the sheet-of work a uniform length.

Attached to the cross-head 14 is a male cutting die 31 of the shearing mechanism, which also embodies a male cross cutting die 35, which cooperates with a female cross cutting die 35 for severing a waste end off from the blank, as will be hereinafter explained. Also carried by the cross head and extending in a forward direction from the die 34 is a-cutter 36, which operates to perform a side-trimming cut on the work. lVith the work in the position shown in Fig. 1, wherein it is in place to receive the edge-trimming and side-trimming"cuts, the die 3st, when it descends, will sever the front edge of the blank and alsosever a portion of the side edge. This forms an offset or notclr along the side edge,'wh1ch establishes a line for subsequent sidetrimming cuts, so that at the first operation of the press. the work is-trimmed both along the forWard-andside edges. After this has been accomplished, the work is then engaged by the second of the feed fingers of the feed bar 28, which finger is designated by the numeral 37, and is carried forwardto the position shown in F ig. 3, which moves it beyond the female shearing die 38 and into proximity toa fixed plate or stop 39 lying to the rear or discharge end of the machine.

After the finger has advanced the work into this position, it starts upon its backward movement. Then, as the die descends, a pin 40 carried in a bracket -21 engages with the walls of a cam slot/i2 formed in a plate 43, and this plate is attached to a cross-bar 1+1, which connects two parallelly extending bars eh"). These bars 45 are suspended above I the surface of the table by means of bridge plates 46 .forming slotted supports 47, in which the bars 45' travel.

The bars 45 have mounted thereon a p.ln

rality of plates148 rendered adjustable by suitable slot and bolt connections.-19, andeach plate carries a pivoted'finger 50 held normally downward by a spring 51. liy referring to the drawings, it will be-evident that as the work is passed beneath these fingers 50, they will lift upward to allow such passage. After the work has been forced by the fingers they will drop behind the work and into the position indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. As stated, the Work is forced into the position shown in Fig. 3 by the forward movement of the feed bar, and when it reaches this position the feed bar starts back.

r The rear edge of the work, as will be seen from the drawings, has been forced beyond the first of the fingers 50. These fingers will ac'cordingly drop downward and behind the rear edge of the work, as will be understood from Fig. 3. Then the crosshead descending pushes the pins 40 down in the cam slot 42, which forces the plate 43. connecting bar 44, and parallel bars and fingers 50, in a direction toward the shean ing mechanism. This movement is a rela tively short one and is suilicient to cause one of the fingers 50 to engage the rear edge of the work and move the forward edge of the latter up into engagement with the stop 39.

When so positioned, the work is spaced a proper distance beyond 'the shearing dies,

and thus, when the" shearing mecha-msm acts, a blank of proper width is produced.

From the foregoingit' will be seen that the work is first fed in the direction of the .shearing mechanism bythe'feed bar, and

then given a subsequent-movementdn the same direction, to bring it up into position 7 whereby it is centered with respect to the shearing mechanism to produce a blank of proper width. When so centered, the shear ing dies act to sever that work lying to the rear of the shearers and-also acts to sever the work lying'between the shearing dies,

- this surplus end and make each blank of a producing twoblanks at this operation.

In order to feed the work properly through the die-presses, all of the blanks must be of uniform character, that is, each must-terminate'midway of oneof the neck or reduced portions '52, which connect the enlarged portions 53. Therefore, it is necessary to sever the ends from that portion of the work lying between the edges of the shearing die, and for this purpose the cross dies 35 and 35 are provided, which cut off uniformcharacter. And to eject this cut end from the machine, spring-pressed ejec' tor pins 35 are provided; also ejectors 35 are provided for the regular blank which is,

formed between the dies of the main shearing members.

As previously explained, a notch is formed at the time the edge-trimming operation is carried out. This notch provides a guide or line for subsequent side-trimming operations, which'si-de-triin is necessary, owing to variances in the widths of the metal.

When the cross head 14 descends, a cam or wedge 54acts to engage the side of the work and shift it longitudinally of the shearing mechanism and against a fixed stop 55; that is, the inner edge of the notch formed by the initial side-trimming operation'is forced against this stop. Thus, at each shearing operation the work is forced into position, so that the blanks are cut to proper length. This side out is shown and described in the foregoing-mentioned Patent No. 1,174,747, granted March 7, 1916,

to C. D. McDonald. The difference between that portion of the invention shown in said patent and in the present application lies in the provision of the fixed wedge attached to the cross-head for forcing the work against the stop 55. There is also provided a punch 56 (see Fig. 5), which is actuated by acontact 57 carried by' the cross-head. This punch places a hole along the side edge of the work, whereby when 'the work is trimmed by the side-trimming cutter, it

falls away therefrom. This feature is also 6 5 shown and described in the McDonald Patent -Nol 1,174,747 above referred to. It is to. be noted,'however,'that in the presentinvention,the operation of the means which forces the WOIk C IOSSWISG ofthe shear ng mechanism to center it, the means which forces'the work longitudinally of the shearing mechanism to center it,the side-trimming die, the surplus end-trimming die, and

the punch for making the holes in the side of the work, are all actuated directly by the crosshead 14. ,As all of these operations must occur after the movement of the work by the feed bar and prior to the cutting stroke of the shearing dies, it is obvious that a perfect timing arises by moving all of these parts throughthe operation of this cross-head, which, when it reaches a certa n position, produces the shearing out.

The work dur ng the opera-tlon of the machine is positioned most of the time to both sides'of the shearing mechanism, and

certain of the'blanks are formed from that portion lying outside of the shearing mechanism. There must, of course, be a support There is a blank formed from that portion of the work lying to the rear of the discharge end of the shearing dies, a blank formed from that portion of the work lying between the shearing dies, and a blank formedifrom that portion of the work which is last placed to the front or delivery end of the shearing dies. It is necessary to provide receptacles for each one of these blanks, and it is highly desirable that these receptacles all lie to the rear of the machine. where they are easily accessible. We therefore provide a receptacle 60, which re ceives theblanks formed by that portion of the work placed to the rear of the shearing dies. The work when severed falls down an inclined plate (31 and into this receptacle. e also provide a receptacle 62 to receive the blanks formed by that portion of the work lying between the shearing dies. These blanks are guided into this receptacle by a plate 63. This plate swings, whereby it is moved out of position when the initial trimming cut is made, to allow the trimmed edge. to fall outside of the receptacle 62. This trimmed edge travels along a guide plate 64. The operation of this swinging plate 63 is fully shown and described in Patent No. 1,174,747 above referred to.

There is further provided a receptacle 65" As first stated, the main ob 'machines is to'produce within a specified time a large quantity of blanks accurately to receive the blanks formed by that portion of the work placed in front of the shearing dies; and a guide plate66. is provided for directing the Work into this receptacle. Thus all of the blanks are deposited to the rear of the machine, where they can be easily and quickly removed by the attendant and conveyed to thevarious die-presses.

ect of these trimmed and sized forjfeeding'into automatic die-presses,--and hence the requirement for the centeringand'trimming operations that havebeen heretofore described.

lVe claim: i

1. In a machine of the. class described, the combination of shearingmechanism, means for feeding the work 'in'a direction toward the shearing mechanism with an intermittent movement, and means for imparting additional movement to the work in the same direction as the feeding movement and attheend of each feeding movement'tocenter the work with respect to the shearing mechanism, substantially as described.

2. In a machine of the class described, the

combination of shearing mechanism, means" for feeding the work in a direction toward the shearing mechanism with 'an intermittent movement, a 'stop member, and means i for impartingadditional movement to the work in the same direction as the feeding movement and at the end of each feeding movement to bring-it against the stop memher, wherebythe work is centered-With respect to the shear ng mechanism, substantially as described;

3. In a machine of the class described, the

combination of shearing mechanism, means for feeding thework in a direction toward 3 the shearing mechanism'with a step by step direction toward the shearing. mechanism 'with a step by step movement, and means for imparting an additional movement to the work in the same direction as the feeding movement and at the end of each feedingstep to center the work with respect to the shearing mechanism, substantially as described. v i

- 5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of shearing mechanism, means for feeding the work in a direction toward the shearing mechanism with an intermit- I tent movement, and intermittently acting means for mparting 'an additional movement to the work in the same direction as the feeding movement and at the end of each feeding movement tocenter the work with respect to the shea'iring mechanism, substantially described. i

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of shearing mechanism, reciprocating means for feeding the work in a di rection toward theshearing mechanism in a step by step movement, and reciprocating means operating on the completion of each feeding movement to impart additional k movement to the work in the. same direction as the feeding. movement and at the end of each feeding movement to center the work with respect to theshearing mechanism, substantially as described.

7. In a machine of the class described, the 4 combination of shearing. mechanism, means for feeding the work'in ajdirection toward the shearing mechanism with a step by step movement, a sto member beyond the shearers, each feed ngstep comprising two I ,7 movements In the same direct ointhe first of said movements placing the edgeof the work adjacent the stop member, the second" movement bringing the edge of the work against .the stop member to center the work with respect to the shearing mechanism, Substantially as descr1bed. In a machine of the class described, the

combination of a. fixed stop member beyond the shearing dies, means for feeding the work in a directiontoward' the shearing;-

mechanism with a step by step movement, each'of said movements carrying the work toa'point adjacent the stop, and means for imparting additional movement to thework in the same direction as the feeding move-,'

ment and at the end of each feeding move ment to bring the work against the stop and center it with respect to the shearing mechanism, substantially as described.

9.. In a machine of the class describech'the combination of shearing mechanism,a table,

means for feeding the work across the table in a direction toward the shearing mecha-- nisin, and means "suspended above the table for imparting additional movement to the work in the same direction as the feeding movement to center the work with respect'to the shearing mechanism, si'ibstantially as described.

10. In a machine of the class-described, the combination of shearingmechanism, a table, means for feeding the work across the table with a step by step movement in a direction toward the shearing mechanism,

and intermittently operated means suspend ed above the table for impartingadditional movement to the work in the direction of the feeding movement and at the end of each feeding movement to center the work with respect to the shearing mechanism, substantially as described.

11. In a machine of the class described,

the combination of shearing mechanism, in-

the-work with respect to the shearingmechanism, substantially as described.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination of shearing mechanism, including a movable die, feed means for moving the work in a direction toward the shearing mechanism with a-step by' step move- 7 ment, means controlled by the movement of said die for imparting an additional move ment to the work in the same direction as the feeding movement and at the end of each feeding movement to center the work with respect to the shearing -mechanism, substantially as described.

13. In a machine of the class described,

the combination of shearing mechanism, in-' cluding a movable die, means for feeding the work in a direction toward the shearing mechanism with a step by step movement,

intermittently acting means controlled by the movements of the die for imparting ad- ,ditional movement to the work in the same direction as the feeding movement and at" the end of each feeding movement to center the? work with'respect to the shearing mechanism, substantiallyas described.

14:. In a machine of the class described, the combination of shearing mechanism, including a movable die, a table, means for feeding the work across the table in a direction toward the shearing mechanism, and means suspended above the table and controlled by the movements of said die for imparting additional movement to the work in the same direction as the feeding movement to center the work with respect to the shearing mechanism, substantially as described.

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination of shearing mechanism, means for feeding the work in a direction toward the shearing mechanism with a step by step' movement, a slidable bar, a member on said bar adapted to engage with the work, and means for actuating said bar at the end of each feeding step 'to give additional movement to the work to center the work with respect to the shearing mechanism, substantiallyas described.

16. In a machine of the class described, the combination of shearing mechanism, means for feeding the work in a direction toward the shearing mechanism with a step by step movement, a fixed stop, a slidable bar, a member on the bar for engaging the work, and-means for actuating the bar at the end of each feeding movement to place the work against the stop to center it with respect to the shearing mechanism, substantially as described.

17. In a machine of the class described, the combination of shearing mechanism, means for feeding the work'with a step by step movement toward the shearing mechanism, a bar suspended above the work, a mounting for the bar in which it slides, a member carried by the bar adapted to engage with the work, and means for actuating the bar at the end of each feeding movement to give the work an additional movement to center the work with respect to the shearing mechanism, substantially I as described.

18. In a machine of'the class described, the combination of shearing mechanism,

. means for feeding the work in a direction towork, a finger carried by the'bar and arranged to drop behind the rear edge of the work as the work is carried past the finger, and means for imparting a movement to the bar at the completion of each feeding movement, whereby said finger engagesand moves the work inthe same direction as the feed ing movement to center the work with respect to the shearing mechanism, substantially as described.

19 In a machine of the class described, the combination of shearing mechanism, including a: movable die, means for feeding the work with a step by step movement in a direction toward the shearing mechanism, a bar above the work, means controlled by the movement of the die for actuating said bar, said bar operating at the end of each feeding movement, whereby an additional move ment is given to the work to center it with respect to the shearing mechanism, sub-: stantially as described.

20. In a machine of the class described,

. the combination of shearing mechanism, in-

cluding a movable die member, means for feeding the work in a direction toward the shearing mechanism with a step by step movement, a slidable bar, a member carried by the bar adapted to engage the work, and means controlled by the movement of said die for actuating the bar at the end of each feeding movement, whereby an additional movement is given to the'work and the work centered with respect to the shearing mechanism, substantially as described.

21. In a machine of the class described, the combination of shearing mechanism, including a movable die, means for feeding the work with a step by step movement toward the shearing mechanism, means for impart at the completion of each feeding movement, and means for actuating said additionalmovement means, embodying a pin and cam connection between the movable die and said mechanism with a step by step movement, a bar suspended above the work, a member' on the bar adapted to engage the work, a

' member secured to the bar and formed with a cam' slot, a pin carried by the movable die and in engagement with the cain'slot, said pin acting to impart a movement to the bar at the end of each feedlng movement, where by an additional .movement" is given to the work in the 'same' direction as the feeding movement to center the-work withmespectto the shearing mechanism, substantially as described. a

' 23. In a machine of the class described, the combination of shearing mechanism, means for feeding. the work a direction toward the shearing mechanism with a step by step movement, a slidable bar, a member on said bar adapted to engage with the work, means for actuating. said bar at the end of each' feeding step to give additional movement to the workat the end of each feeding -step whereby the work is centered with respect to the shearing mechanism, and means for adjusting the work-engaging member carried by the bar, substantially as-described.

24. In a machine ofthe class described, the combination of shearing mechanism, means. for feeding the work toward the shearing mechanism, a movable die member, a member carried by the movable die member having a cam face thereon, said face engaging tlie work to move it longitudinally of the shearing mechanism prior to the shearmg operation for centering the work with respect to the shearing'mechamsm, substantially as described.

25. In a machine of the class described, the combination of shearing mechanism cmbodying a movable die member, means for feeding the work toward the shearing mechanism, and means controlled by the movcment of said die member for shifting the work in two directions previous to the shearing operation for centering the work with respect to the shearing mechanism, substan tially as described.

26. In a machine of the class described, the combination of shearing mechanism, means for feeding the work in a direction toward the shearing mechanism, a fixed stop beyond the shearing mechanism, a fixed stop to one side of the shearing mechanism, and means for moving the work into engagement with both of said stops previous to the shearing operation for centering the work with respect to the shearing operation, substantially as described.

27. In amachine of theclass described, the combination of shearing mechanism, embodying die members spaced apart a distance equal to the width of a to-be-cut blank, whereby a blank is formed by the'work lying between said die members, said blank consisting of a series of'enlarged portions alternating with reduced neck portions, a cross die extending between said spacedapart diesand located midway of each, of the; outer neck portions of the blank, said cross dies acting to sever the surplus ends from each blank, whereby each end of the blank'is made to terminate midway of the neck portion, and an ejector for forcing said out surplus ends out from the die members, substantially as described.

- 28. In .a machine of the class described,

the shearing mechanism upon which the work rests, said supports each consisting of a member formed with a blade-like edge on which the work rests, substantially as de scribed. V i

29. In a machine of the class described, the combination of shearing mechanism, means for feedingthe work across the shearthe combination of shearing mechanism, means for feeding the work across the shearing mechanism, a support upon each side of ing mechanism, means for supporting thework upon each side of the shearing mechanism, consisting of members each beveled upon their upper face to provide a bladelikeedge upon which the work rests, substantially as described.

30. In a machine of the class described, the combination of shearing mechanism, including a movable die member, means for feeding the work into position to be acted upon'by the shearing mechanism, means for centering the work with respect to the shearing mechanism controlled by the movements of the die member, and a die for performing a side-trimming operation carried by the die. member, substantially as described.

81. In a machine of the class described, the combination ofshearing mechanism, including a movable die member, means for feeding the work into position to be acted upon by the shearing mechanism, means for centering the work with respect-to the shearing mechanism controlled by the movements of the die member, a die for performing a side-trimming operation carried by the die eluding a movable die, a side-trimming die carriedby the movable die, means for feeding the work in a direction toward the shearing mechanism, andmeans controlled'by the movement of the diefor giving the work an additional movement in the direction of the feeding movement, and also a movement crosswise of the direction of said additional movement to center the Work with respect to the shearing mechanism, substantially as described.

33. In a machine of the class described, the combination of shearing mechanism,

' comprising die members spaced apartfrom one another adistance equal to the width of a to-be-eut blank, means for positioning the work upon each side of the die members a distance equaltoj the width of a"to-be-cut blank, a seriesof receptacles for receiving the-blanks formed from the work lying between the die members and from'that por tion of the work extending beyond the die members, all of said receptacles being placed cluding a movable die, a fixed stop to the rear of the shearing mechanism, a fixed stop to the side of the shearing mechanlsm, a side-trimming die carried by the movable die, and means controlled by the movements of said die for moving the work in two die 3 5 rections to .bring it against both of said stops, whereby the work is centered with respect to the shearing mechanism, substantially as described.

CHAS. E. ENNES. CHAS. D. MCDONALD. 

